Duke freshman Becca Ward (right) was named National Co-Fencer of the...

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke freshman Becca Ward was named National Co-Fencer Of The Week by College Fencing 360 for the week of March 2-8, CollegeFencing360.com announced Tuesday.

Ward, a freshman saber from Portland, Ore., took first place at the Atlantic/South Regionals on March 7 in Haverford, Pa. With the Regional win, Ward earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships on March 19-22 in State College, Pa.

In her first season as a Blue Devil, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist led Duke with a 53-2 record, which helped the Blue Devil women’s saber squad to a 17-3 record. Ward will be one of five Blue Devils advancing to the NCAA Championships and the lone representative from the Duke women’s team.

Ward shared the weekly honor with two other women’s fencers, including Emily Cross of Harvard and Daria Schneider. She is the first Duke fencer to earn the national honor this season.